Apple is working on at least 7 head-worn devices, including Vision Air and Apple Glasses, with launches stretching from 2025 to 2028. Here’s a breakdown of what’s coming.
Apple Is Currently Testing At Least 7 Different Mixed Reality Headsets and Smart Glasses
Apple isn’t done with spatial computing, in fact it is far from it. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has at least 7 head-worn devices in development across two categories: the Vision series and Apple Smart Glasses, with launch timelines stretching all the way to 2028.
The Vision Series: From Spec Bumps to Game-Changing Lightweights
M5 Vision Pro (2025)
First up, Apple plans to release a slightly updated Vision Pro in Q3 2025, packing the M5 chip. Other specs remain unchanged, making this more of a performance bump than a redesign. Expect 150,000–200,000 units shipped before year’s end.
Vision Air (2027)
This is where it gets exciting. The rumored Vision Air will be 40% lighter than the current Vision Pro and will swap out titanium for plastic and magnesium alloy. It’s built to be more affordable, using a high-end iPhone chip and fewer sensors. Launching in Q3 2027, this could become the mass-market XR headset Apple fans have been waiting for.
Related: Samsung’s 2025 XR Headset Packs More Pixels Than Vision Pro
2nd-Gen Vision Pro (2028)
Set for mass production in late 2028, the Vision Pro 2 is expected to feature a new design, a Mac-class processor, and a lighter, cheaper form factor. Apple seems to be going all-in on XR without sacrificing power or usability.
Related: visionOS 26 Is Here: Spatial Widgets, Better Personas, Look to Scroll, and More
Apple Glasses: More Than Just a Vision
First-Gen Apple Smart Glasses (2027)
Forget the rumors about 2026. Kuo says the first true Apple Glasses won’t arrive until Q2 2027. Apple aims to ship 3–5 million units, with features like:
- Gesture recognition
- Voice control
- AI-powered environmental awareness
- Photo/video recording
- Audio capabilities (possibly AirPods-dependent)
These will come in multiple styles and materials, going head-to-head with Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, but with Apple’s premium polish.
XR Display Glasses (2028 and beyond)
Two more Apple smart glasses projects are in the works, both with built-in displays using waveguide tech and Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) panels.
- One will enter mass production in 2028 with advanced input features like gesture and voice control.
- A second display-equipped model is also in development, though details and release timing are TBD.
Display Accessory: On Hold (But Not Canceled)
Apple was also developing a Birdbath optics-based display accessory for iPhone and Mac. Think of it like a tethered headset that mirrors content, but the project is paused due to weight concerns. Originally targeted for 2026, this device could make a comeback if Apple solves the bulk issue.
Apple’s Long-Term Bet on Head-Worn Devices
Kuo’s report makes it clear: Apple sees head-mounted wearables as the next major computing platform. While rivals are rushing out smart glasses, Apple is deliberately iterating, betting on superior performance, design, and software to eventually dominate the space.
He even predicts Apple’s entry could push the global smart glasses market past 10 million shipments by 2027, signaling a major turning point.
Final Thoughts: Apple’s Smart Glasses Are Coming, Just Not in a Hurry
From the M5 Vision Pro in 2025 to Vision Air in 2027, and full-fledged Apple Glasses in 2027 and 2028, Apple is planting serious roots in the XR ecosystem. With smart glasses and spatial computing set to be the next big consumer tech revolution, Apple is quietly assembling an army of devices designed to lead it.
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